Homes across the North West could be crawling with Britain’s most venomous spiders over the next few months.

Experts are warning this year’s mild weather, which is expected to continue through September and beyond, could help spark a bumper season for the false widow.

The UK population of the species, whose bite is typically as painful as a bee sting, has soared into the millions in recent years and is thought to be growing all the time.

And pest management consultant Clive Boase says conditions are ideal for a significant spike in numbers in the autumn.

He said: “We’ve had a reasonably warm year with very few cold snaps and no particularly extended periods of either dry or wet weather.

“That has led to more invertebrates, such as flies, to feed on and means false widows, as well as many other species of spiders, have been able to continue their development throughout the summer.

Generally shy creatures ...they certainly can give a painful bite, but only do so as a last resort

Pest management consultant Clive Boase

“Sightings of spiders often peak from September as males of many species reach adulthood and venture into homes in search of a mate, but we could be seeing a lot more of them than normal over the next month or two.”

False widow spiders were introduced to Britain more than 100 years ago, according to the Natural History Museum.

The species first established itself on the south coast, but has significantly increased its foothold in the UK over the last 25 years.

They continue to colonise southern counties but are now becoming increasingly common in other parts of the country with sightings as far north as Scotland.

Mr Boase says climate change and the warmer conditions it brings has been a major factor in the growth of the species.

He said: “The population of false widows in the UK is growing all the time. In fact, people don’t realise just how common they have become.

“There are half-a-dozen different species of the false widow and they can survive both indoors and outdoors. They prefer suburban areas and are most commonly found around domestic and commercial premises.

“They love conservatories and toilet blocks, window frames, porches, lofts and garages and they like to live beneath kitchen appliances and cupboards.

“They are generally shy creatures and won’t come out into the open, but they could crawl into curtains or perhaps clothing left on the floor.”

While false widows have developed a fearsome reputation as Britain’s most venomous spider, reports of bites remain rare.

Mr Boase added: “They certainly can give a painful bite, but there have been very few reports of that happening as they will only do so as a last resort.

“Bites usually result from handling the spider roughly or perhaps having it trapped between clothing and skin.”

Factfile: False widows and their bite

False widow spiders, originally from the Canary Islands, first arrived in the UK in the 1870s and are distinguished by their shiny, black, bulbous bodies and markings which look like a skull on their abdomens.

They got their name through their resemblance to the deadly black widow spider, which has a nasty bite known to have been fatal to humans but which is not likely to become established in the UK.

They are black or brown and small, the larger females grow up to 15mm in length.

Adult females can survive for a number of years, whilst adult males may only live for a few months.

They are one of only a dozen species of spiders living in the UK capable of biting humans - though while adult females can bite, the smaller males are not thought to be able.

Pain, redness and swelling is the typical response to a bite, though in rare instances allergic reactions can occur.

Precautions and advice:

Rob Simpson, manager of pest controllers register BASIS PROMPT, says simple precautions can be taken to reduce the likelihood of false widows.

He says keeping homes clean and tidy, sealing up cracks or holes in doors and windows and removing plants or debris from the outside of houses will help.

“Spiders will have fewer places to hide if you keep clutter to a minimum, so I would say keep your house tidy and vacuum regularly.

“You can spray dark corners of the home with pesticides and there’s an old wives tale about placing conkers on window sills, but I’m not sure that works.”

Homeowners or businesses keen to rid themselves of a spider infestation are being urged to seek professional advice.

Mr Simpson added: “Members of BASIS PROMPT are fully-trained professionals who are obliged to stay up to date with the latest products, techniques and legislation.

“They’re guaranteed to give the best advice as well as provide safe, effective and legal treatment. And all members are issued with identity cards, so there can be no doubt they are who they say they are.”